OCTOBER 30, 2014
Music
And Megaphone
Read: 2
Corinthians 3:17-4:7
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the
power may be of God and not of us. —2
Corinthians 4:7
Christopher Locke buys
old trumpets, trombones, and French horns and transforms them into acoustic
amplifiers for iPhones and iPads. His creations are modeled on the trumpetlike
speakers used in the first phonographs during the late 1800s. Music played through
Christopher’s AnalogTelePhonographers has a “louder, cleaner, richer, deeper
sound” than what is heard from the small speakers in the digital devices. Along
with being interesting works of art, these salvaged brass instruments require
no electrical power as they amplify the music people love to hear.
Paul’s words to the
followers of Jesus in Corinth remind us today that in living for Christ and
sharing Him with others, we are not the music but only a megaphone. “For we do
not preach ourselves,” Paul wrote, “but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves
your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5). Our purpose is not to become
the message, but to convey it through our lives and our lips. “We have this
treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and
not of us” (v.7).
If an old horn can
amplify music, then perhaps our flawed lives can magnify the goodness of God.
We’re the megaphone; the music and the power come from Him!
Thank You, Lord, that You can take our lives
and use them in ways we never thought
possible. Help us to be the instruments
that convey the music of Your love.
Nothing
is unusable in God’s hands.
Insight
Paul was careful to
ensure that his motives and methods were completely aboveboard (2 Cor. 4:2).
Careful not to be accused of being a huckster who profited monetarily from the
ministry (2:17), Paul ensured that his message was true, his motives were pure,
and his methods were proper (4:2). He also spoke of the need for integrity in
ministry in
1 Thessalonians
2:3-10.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
